Suction cleaner



June 4, 1946. H. B. WHITE SUCTION CLEANER Filed Nov. 11, 1943 3' Sheets-Sheet 1 HTTO/PNE'Y INVENTOR Harry B- White 2% v2 .n I? w h\ w w s k w H H H M nfi fill!" u A N v N SUCTION CLEANER INVENTOR. Harry B,White HTTOR/VEY June 4, 19%; s. WHI E 2,401,394

SUCTION CLIEANER Filed Nov. 11, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Ha Fry B- White Patented June 54, 1946 SUCTION CLEANER Harry B. White, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 11, 1943, Serial No. 509,878

'7 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to suction cleaners in general and more particularly to a new and novel construction in which a dirt separator, including a filter element, is cleaned automatically under the actuation of a spring motor which is loaded by a pressure-operated bellows.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved suction cleaner. It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved suction cleaner incorporating novel filter-cleaning means. A further object of the invention is to provide a suction cleaner in which a filter-cleaning nozzle is actuated by a spring motor which is energized by an air-pressureactuated bellows. Still another object of the invention is to provide a suction cleaner in which an initial dirt separator has air drawn through it by suction-creating means which exhausts the air into a final dirt separator including a filter element, the latter element being cleaned by a filter-cleaning nozzle actuated by a spring motor which is itself energized by an air-pressureactuated bellows. A still further object of the invention is to provide in a suction cleaner a filter-cleaning nozzle actuated by a spring motor which is energized by variations in air pressure within the machine and which automatically actuates the filter-cleaning nozzle under certain predetermined conditions. These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and-upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, and in which the same reference character refers to the ame part throughout:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a suction cleaner constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, certain parts being shown in section upon the line l--l of Figure Figure 2 is a transverse section looking in the direction of the arrows upon the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and shows the actuating mechanism for the filter-cleaning nozzle; J

Figure 3 is a section upon the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shows the bellows-actuated means for energizing the spring motor;

Figure 4 is a partial view of the disclosure of Figure 3 but shows the relationship of the motorenergizing parts during their period of inactivity and in which the movement of the filter-cleanin nozzle takes place;

Figure 5 is a view looking downward within the rear of the cleaner casing which shows the filtercleaning nozzle-actuating mechanism, a part of the bellows being broken away;

Figure 6 is a section through the cleaner upon the line ii-fiof Figure 1 and discloses the mounting and the speed-reducing gearing of the filtercleaning nozzzle;

Figure '7 is a section through the valve chamber and discloses the valve and the electrical solenoid which positions it.

In the modern suction cleaner of the type to which the present invention relates,' means are provided to return the collected foreign material from a final filter to an initial dirt separatorfrom which it can be removed readily and without the necessity of the operator shaking a bag or a filter. The initial separator is provided witha removable dirt container of material such as metal from which the foreign material is easily displaced. The cleaning of the final dirt separator is accomplished by means of a movable filter-cleaning nozzle which is actuated by a suitable spring motor. It is not necessary that the filter-cleaning nozzle be constantly at work but instead it need only perform its cleaning function periodically and with sufilcient frequency to insure that the back pressure opposing the fiow of air through the machine will not exceed a desirable maximum. In accordance with the present invention, use is made of the variation of cleaner air pressure to energize a spring motor by means of a bellows which expands and contracts with such air pressure variation. The spring motor is gradually energized and when completely loaded automatically actuates the filter-cleaning nozzle to perform its cleaning function. At the end of the cleaning cycle the parts are automatically reconditioned for the re-energization of the spring motor. The energization and cleaning operations occur in sequence and without the necessity of the operator giving any attention to the machine. The exact form of bellows and the exact form of the motor can be varied within the scope of the invention so long as the broad principles of energizing the spring motor by means of the air pressure variation, and subsequently actuating the filter-cleaning nozzle by the force of the spring motor, are used.

Referring now to the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, a canister type Suction cleaner is disclosed comprising an elongated outer casing l with a semicylindrical top and with a fiat bottom. Casing i is closed by end plates 2 and 3, the latter being semi-permanently secured while the former is and is open 3 provided with a handle 4 to aid in removal, being normally secured in place by manually releasable latch means 6. Removable cover 2 seats in air-tight relationship on the main body I, an air seal 1 being present at their line of contact to insure this feature. Cover 2 also includes a dirt receptacle 3 which extends forwardly and into casing I along the lower surface thereof.

The cleaner body is slidably supported upon skids or runners 9 which may be of any suitable shape or design and which function to support the machine slidably for movement over a supporting surface.

Within casing l, and at what may be called the 1 forward end thereof, is a whirl chamber II, part of the length of which comprises a cylinder and part a truncated cone, the latter opening forwardly into the dirt receptacle 8. A fan chamber I2 is separated for whirl chamber II by a dividing wall I3, the inlet H of the fan chamber comprising an elongated inlet l5 which extends centrally into the whirl chamber. A strainer I6 is provided at the outer end of the inlet. Fan chamber I2 is itself divided into a first stage and a second stage by means of a fixed multi-vaned defiector member I1. A suction-creating fan I6 is positioned within each stage of the fan chamber and upon opposite sides of the deflector of memof a motor shaft I3. The hub 2| of the motor, which will later be described, extends into sealed relationship with the end wall 22 of the fan chamber. The fan chamber construction is completed by the presence of exhaust ports 23 in the second chamber 26. Present in the.

- ber l1, the fans being carried by the extended end i I 30 chamber 26 is a pivoted valve 28 which is so positioned as to control selectively the connection of either the inlet port 24, or the air conduit 21, to

the whirl chamber. To actuate valve 28 to move it between port-closing and conduit-closing positions, the latter position being shown in full lines in Figure 3| which normally holds the valve 28 in conduitclosing position with the whirl chamber connected to inlet 24.

The whirl chamber II, the fan chamber l2, and the connected parts are held within the main casing I by means of a pair of transverse walls indicated by the reference characters 33 and 34. These walls are suitably shaped to perform their main supporting function and additionally the wall 34 is contoured so as to provide afilterseating shoulder, as will hereinafter be set forth. Both walls serve to divide the easing into compartments.

Spaced rearwardly from the wall 34 is a third wall 36 which is fixedly carried in the casing I around a large part of its outer edge to provide ports 31. Supported at its rearward end by the wall 36 is the cleaner driving motor 33, the casing 'of which is shown provided with suitable heat-dissipating flanges or fins and the shaft I9 of which extends forwardly into the fan chamber, as described. Wall 36 carries a flanged ring 39, and between ring 33 and the opposing wall 34 extends a cylindrical fabric filter 4|. Filter 4| is spaced from the enclosing casing I and encloses the fan chamber I2 and motor 36.

'7, there is provided an electrical sole-- hold 29 which includes a spring-pressed armature The chamber comprising the filter 4| and the wall 34 and 36 is indicated by the reference character 42 and is known as the final filter chamher, or final dirt separator. The space surrounding the filter 4|, and within the casing I, is known as the discharge chamber and is indicated by the reference character 43. The air discharged from the exhaust ports 23 in the second stage of the fan chamber l2 passes into the final filter chamber 42, outwardly through the filter 4|, and into the discharge 43. It then passes through the ports 31 in the wall 36 and into that part of the casing rearward of the rear wall 36 from which it escapes into atmosphere through the exhaust port 44. The latter is similar to the intake port 24 in order that dusting tools can be connected thereto when it is desired to use the machine as a blower rather than as a suction machine.

Sufllcient mechanism has now been described to provide an operative suction cleaner usable over a limited period. The time limitation is imposed by the fact that some of the foreign material passing into the machine would not be removed by the initial separator or whirl chamber and would pass through the fan unit to be collected upon the final filter 4|. If after an extended period of use filter 4| were not cleaned the resistance to the passage of air through the machine, known as the back pressure, would increase to such a point that the flow of air would be reduced and the operating efflciency would be materially reduced. To accommodate this characteristic means are provided to clean the filter 4| and to return the dirt to the initial dirt separator I I from which it escaped. Dirt in the initial separtor collects inthe dirt receptacle 3.

The filter-cleaning mechanism comprises a rotatable filter-contacting nozzle 5| the length of which is siibstantially equal to that of the filter 4| and which includes a conduit 52 which encloses the hub 2| of the motor 38 being carried rotatably by a. large gear 53 mounted upon a bearing 54 on the motor hub. A housing 56 at the forward end of the motor casing encloses the gear 53, a suitable seal 51 being provided to prevent the air in chamber 42 entering the motor 38. Opposite the gear 53 the conduit 52 i provided with an open mouth which fits the circular end of conduit 21 which also encircles the motor shaft. A suitable seal 58 is provided at the joint to prevent air leakage.

As previously .described, the valve 28in the valve chamber 26 is adapted to connect the conduit 21 or the inlet port 24 to the interior of the whirl chamber II. When the valve is positioned topermit the suction-creating means to draw air through the conduit 21 air will be drawn into the filter-cleaning nozzle 5| from the discharge chamber 43, through the filter 4|, and will then pass through the passageway 52 and conduit 21 and into the whirl chamber II. It carries with it foreign material which the nozzle has removed from the filter 4|.

The means which actuate the filter-cleanin nozzle and move it over the interior surface of thefllter 4| comprises a motor, the actuating force of which is derived from a spiral spring 6|. The motor casing 62, to which the outer end of the spring 6| is secured, is carried by a framework 64 which is positioned within the casing between the wall 36 and the end wall 3 of the casing, the framework being suitably shaped to support a plurality of parts as will be described. The inner end of the spring 6| is fixedly attached to a transversely extending shaft 66 which is also carried by the framework 64 and which itself carries, at a distance from the casing 52, a large gear 67, fixed to the shaft 66. Also mounted upon the shaft 65, but rotatable relative thereto, is a large gear 68 and also mounted on the shaft a ratchet gear 69 which is fixed. The filtercleaning nozzle 5! is connected to the shaft 66, which is directly driven by the driving spring 8 I, through gears and a power-transmitting shaft. A pair of gears H and I2 connect the nozzlecarrying gear 53 to a shaft 73 which extends parallel to the motor shaft and passes through the wall 35 to be provided at its rearward end with a pinion gear 19. The latter meshes directly with a bevel gear 78 on a short shaft H which shaft also carries a small gear 18in mesh with the gear 68 on the shaft 66. The preferred gear ratios are such that the complete unwinding of the spring 65 produces about one and one-fourth revolutions of the filter-cleaning nozzle 5|.

As the motor spring 8| must be wound, requiring the shaft 66 to move in a direction opposite to its normal direction when actuating the filtercleaning nozzle 5i, it is desirable to provide clutch means which will permit the shaft 66 to be rotated in one direction without moving the nozzle. This is accomplished by mounting a springpressed pawl BI upon the large freely rotatable gear 68 upon the motor shaft 56. Pawl BI is spring-pressed into contact with the ratchet gear 59 fixed upon the shaft 66, the teeth of the ratchet gear being so shaped that when the shaft 66 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1, under the actuation of the spring 6|, the teeth of the ratchetgear engage the pawl 8i and the rotation of the shaft is transmitted to the large gear 68. Rotation of the latter gear, of course, effects the movement of the nozzle through the described gear train and sh'aft I3. Rotation of the shaft 66 in the opposite direction, as when winding the spring 66, permits the pawl 8| to slide over the teeth of ratchet gear 69 without movement of the large gear 68 or of the nozzle 5| connected thereto.

To load the spring BI automatic means are provided comprising a pressure-actuated bellows 83 which is suitably mounted upon the rear face of the wall 36 in the casin I and which is interiorly connected through a conduit 84 to the intake 24 of the cleaner, and accordingly to the suctioncreating means during normal cleaner operation. Bellows 83 includes a rigid movable plate 86 which is spring-pressed rearwardly to expand the bellows by an internal coil spring 81. Spring 81 tends to expand the bellows at all times but its strength is such that it is overcome and compressed by the collapse of the bellows when a sufliciently high suction acts thereon. The degree of suction acting on the bellows is, of course, dependent upon the suction present at the inlet 24 and that in turn is determined by the contact of the nozzle with the surface being cleaned. A good seal at the nozzle produces an increased suction and the bellows collapses. No seal at the is bifurcated, one end 93 being shaped to engage a large diameter ratchet gear 94 having teeth which are shaped to engage the pawl when the pawl is moved toward the front of the cleaner by the collapse of the bellows under the action of the suction therein. The second end of the pawl 92, indicated at 96, is separated from the gear-contacting end 93 by a cam surface 91, the function of which will become apparent. To transmit the counter-clockwise rotation of ratchet gear 9 3, counter-clockwise as viewed in Figures 1, 3, 4, there is provided a second small diametergear 98 fixed upon the same shaft 9| as gear 96 which gear meshes with rotatable gear 6'! fixed upon the motor shaft 66. As shaft 66 is rotated in a clockwise direction the spring, fixed thereto, is wound. This clockwise movement, referencebeing had to Figure 3, does not effect nozzle movement for the teeth of ratchet gear 69 slide past'the pawl BI and pawl-carrying gear 68, through which power to the nozzle must pass, does not rotate.

Means must be provided to prevent the spring motor from unloading before it is,completely wound, and also during the time the pawl 92 is advanced on the ratchet gear 99. Additionally, means should be provided which will automatically start into operation the filter-cleaning nozzle, In the present invention a novel construction has beenprovided to accomplish both of these results. Specifically, a pivoted locking detent IOI is pivotally mounted upon a sub-frame I82 of the general framework 64. The detent IBI is formed with a pair of spaced side arms and, at its forward end, is adapted to engage the teeth of ratchet section 94 somewhat in the manner of the end 93 of the'bellows-actuated pawl 92. Detent IIlI remains in its locking position, illustrated in Figure 3, during normal cleaner operation. It prevents gear 94 from rotating in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, as it does in the unwinding of spring BI It permits ratchet ear 94 to rotate in the opposite direction, however, under the actuation of the bellows actuated detent 92. A pin I03 is provided between the side walls of detent IOI which is insulated from the remainder of the detent and for a purpose which wil1 become apparent.

When thespring 6| of the spring motor has been wound to a predetermined degree it is desirable that the filter-cleaning nozzle be actuated. This requires'that the detent IIII be removed from locking engagement with the ratchet gear 94 To accomplish this, there is provided a pin I86 upon the large gear 61. This pin, movable with the gear 61 in its rotation and as the spring BI is wound, moves into contact with a lever arm I01 which is also carried by the sub-frame I02 and which at its end carries a spring and plungerunit I88, the plunger extending slidingly through the top surface of detent II". The relationship between the lever I01, detent MI, and the springplun ger is such that unit I08 is adapted to move overcenter with respect to the pivotal axis of the detent IIlI as the leverarm I8! is pivoted by the pin I05 from the position illustrated in Figure 3 to the position illustrated in Figure 4. When this occurs, the detent IIlI moves with a snap action 7 final position, illustrated in Figure 4, contacts the end 88 of the pawl and holds that member from the ratchet gear as so that the latter is entirely detent ill with its release of the gear 84, and

also the release of the gear by the pawl 82, is effected at some point in the movement of the pin I08 on gear 81 from the position shown in Fi ure 3 to that shown in Figure 4.

The parts are shown related in Figure 4 in their position in which the spring has been completely wound and has just started its nozzle-driving operation. The rotation of the gear 81 will continue counter-clockwise until the pin I88 rotates through slightly more than 360 degrees and has moved the lever arm lll'l sufllciently to pivot it and bring the spring unit I08 overcenter with respect to detent llll thereupon moving that element back into locking engagement with the gear 84. Further clockwise rotation (Figures 3 dusting tools, including a cleaning nozzle, to the and 4) of the ratchet gear 94 is then prevented 94 upon the detent returning to its locking posi-.

tion, as illustrated in Figure 3. a

To prevent excessive speed of movement of the .fllter-cleaning nozzle, and a corresponding excessive rate of discharge of the force 'of the spring,

a governor is provided'in the form of a paddle wheel HI which is carried by vertical shaft H2 on the framework 84. A worm gear HI is pro- I vided upon shaft H2 which meshes with ,a gear H4 on'a horizontal shaft H8. The latter carries a second. gear H! which in turn meshes with a large diameter gear H8 carried by the shaft 11 which also carries the bevel gear 18. .The paddle wheel H 1 act in the well known manner of a governor to prevent excessive rotation of its own shaft and accordingly of those parts which are geared to it. Y

The filter-cleaning nozzle 5| must be interiorly the whirl chamber H.

inlet 24, he closes the motor-controlling switch I22 and current flows through the motor 88. The suction-creating fans is thereupon revolve with the motor shaft is and a reduced pressure is created within the whirl chamber I I. Dirt-laden air is drawn through the dusting tools, through the inlet 24 into the valve chamber 28, and into Foreign material in the air is separated by centrifugal action and passes radially outward into contact with the walls of the whirl chamber and moves forwardly and from its truncated conical end into the dirt receptacle 8. The cleaned air, together with anysnne dust not removed therefrom, passes via the inlet l4 into the fan chamber and is exhausted therefrom through the fan chamber exhaust ports 22 into the dusting tools and the inlet 24 isreduced and the bellows 83 collapses. Each timev this takes place the pawl 82 is moved to rotate the ratchet sear 84 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the seal of the dusting tool nozzle with the surface being cleaned is broken the pressure within the inlet 24 increases, that is, the suction decreases, the bellows expands'under the pressure of its internal spring 81, and the pawl 82 adconnected with the suction-creating means dur- 1 ing the period of actuation or no cleaning effect will result. To bring this about the valve 28 within the valve chamber 28.is moved into position toclose the inlet port 24 and to open the conduit 21. leading to the nozzle. This is accomplished by energizing solenoid 28. A pair of current-conducting leads Ha connected to the incoming power leads l2l are connected in series with a pair of contacts H8. Contacts H9 are carried by the sub-frame-work I82 and are so positioned and related as to be contacted and interconnected by the pin ill: at the end of detent Hll in the open position of the latter, as illustrated in Figure 4. The pin and the contacts are suitably insulated so that no current is trans- T of the solenoid does not affect the current .to the motor.

vances to take another tooth or teeth on the ratchet gear 94. Repeated expansions and contractions of the bellows result in the'winding of the spring motor spring-8|, as described.

The winding operation continues until the spring is fully wound, accomplished when the shaft 88 driven by pawl-actuated ratchet gear 84 has advancedthrough slightly more than 360 degrees. During the last part of this movement the pin I08 on the gear 81 has tripped the detentactuating lever I01 effecting the movement of the detent llll from its ratchet-gear-locking position to its filter-cleaning nozzle-operating position, illustrated respectively in Figures 3 and 4. Ratchet gear 84, which is geared directly to the shaft 88, as described, is then free to rotate under the actuation of the motor spring 8 I. The movement of the detent also has resulted in the closing of the solenoid switch H8, as described, and the solenoid upon being energized has moved the valve 28 so as to connect nozzle 8| through the valve chamber 28 to the'whirl chamber H.

The shaft 68 is now free to rotate under the actuation of the spring 8| and this it does in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 4, the ratchet gear 89 upon the shaft engaging the pawl upon the large diameter gear 88 which gear in turn drives the gear train and shaft 18 connected to the nozzle. The nozzle II is rotated around the inner surface of the filter 4| for slightly more than one revolution and during this operation cleaning air is drawn from the discharge chamber 42, inwardly through the filter -41. into' the nomle 8| to'bedrawn into the whirl The operation of the suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the present invention is as follows: The operator having connected the chamber I I where the foreign material which has previously escaped is this time removed and devpositedinthedirtreceptaclel.

The filter-cleaning operation continues until When the nozzle at the end of the dusting tool hose is sealed the suction within.

the spring 6| has discharged substantially its entire force at which time the pin I 06 upon the gear 61 has rotated sufliciently to pivot the lever I01 and to cause the detent IM to move, under the over-center action of the spring unit I08, into locking position relative to the ratchet gear 94. The change .is from the position illustrated in Figure 4 to that illustrated in Figure 3. The pawl 92 has then again moved into operative relationship with the gear 94. The solenoid 29 has been de-energized by the opening of. the switch H9 and the valve 28 has disconnectedthe filter-cleaning nozzle from the suction-creating means. The machine is then again organized for normal cleaning with the filter-cleaning unit remaining inoperative. The spring motor is then again wound.

From time to time it is necessary for the oper ator to remove the collected foreign material from the machine and thi is accomplished merely by releasing latch means 6, withdrawing the cover 4 longitudinally by use of the handle 4, and dumping from the receptacle 8 the collected foreign material therein. The material is easily displaced, the. receptacle 8 being of metal or similar smooth material to which the collected material does not adhere with tenacity.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator, an inlet for a dirt-laden air stream to said separator, suction-creating means to draw air through said initial separator, and a final dirt separator connected to receive air from motor, and means to release said motor to actuate said nozzle.

2. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator, suction-creating means to .draw air through said initial separator, and a final dirt separator connected to receive air from said suction-creating means; a cleaning nozzle for said final separator, and air-conducting means connecting said nozzle to said initial separator, a spring motor connected to said nozzle to move same with respect to said final separator to remove dirt therefrom, a pressure-actuated bellows interiorly connected to the intake side 01' said initial separator, means operatively connecting said bellows to said motor to wind the latter, means controlling the flow of air through said air-conducting means from said nozzle to said initial separator, and means to release said motor to actuate said nozzle upon said motor becoming wound to a predetermined point.

3. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator, suction-creating means to draw air through said initial separator, and a final dirt separator connected to receive air from said suction-creating means; a cleaning nozzle for said final separator, air-conducting means connecting said nozzle to said initial separator, a spring motor, means connecting said motor to said nozzle including clutch means to enable said motor to rotate in one direction during the winding operation without movement of said nozzle, air-pressure-actuated means connected to said suction-creating means to rotate said motor in said one direction, valve means controlling the flow of air through said air-conducting means, and means to operate said valve means to permit the flow of air through said air-conducting means during the movement of said nozzle and to disconnect said air-pressure-actuated means from said motor.

4. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator, suction-creating means to draw air through said initial separator, and a final dirt separator connected to receive air from said suction-creating means; a cleaning element for said final separator, a spring motor to move said element relative to said final separator. means to control the operation of said spring motor, and an air-pressure-actuated motor connected to said suction-creating means and actuated by said suction-creating means, means to transmit the movement of said air-pressureresponsive means into a winding force at said spring motor, and means to release said spring motor to actuate said element.

6. In a suction cleaner, a dirt separator, a movable element to remove dirt from said separator, suction-creating means connected to said separator, a spring motor to actuate said element relative to said separator, an expansible bellows interiorly connected to the intake side of said suction-creating means and including spring means opposing the collapsing force of said suction-creating means, means to transmit the movement of said bellows into a winding force at said spring motor, means to release said spring motor to actuate said element upon a predetermined loading of said motor, and a governor to control the rate of discharge of the energy stored in said motor.

7. In a suction cleaner, a dirt separator, amovable element to remove dirt from said separator, suction-creating means connected to said separator, a spring motor to actuate said element relative to said separator, air pressure responsive means connected to said suction-creating means, means to transmit the movement of said air pressure responsive means into a winding force at said spring motor and including a pawl actuated by said air pressure responsive means and a ratchet connected to said motor, means to disconnect said pawl from said ratchet under predetermined conditionsto enable said motor to discharge its stored energy, and means to limit the rate of discharge of said energy.

HARRY B. WHITE. 

